ACTION OF PHYSIC. 53 



In this physic-ball the amount of aloes may seem large 

 at first sight ; but if (as in this case) the horse has pre- 

 viously been in training, a less quantity would, in nine 

 cases out of ten, be insufficient, and if insufficient, utterly 

 useless, as the purpose would not be effected, and valu- 

 able time would have been wasted. It is better to give 

 a fair dose, or a dose sufficient to increase the action 

 of the absorbents, than to bully a horse with two or 

 three smaller doses, which would occupy more time 

 than could be spared. 



At least two hours' walking exercise should be given 

 immediately after the ball has been administered, with 

 as much chilled water as he will drink, and a loose 

 bran mash, when he may be shut up and left quiet until 

 the next morning, by which time, if no symptoms of 

 purging are apparent, he should be immediately taken 

 for a walk in the field nearest the stable, so that he 

 may be taken to the stable immediately purgation 

 commences ; and if chilly, an extra rug should be 

 thrown over him without delay, for be it understood 

 that the action of physic is to cause a determination of 

 the secretions from the skin to the intestines, through 

 which they may be carried off, and therefore the skin will 

 require additional protection from the effects of the 

 atmosphere ; consequently, the less a horse's coat is 

 brushed during the action of physic the better. If 

 the excrements are not very foul, purging for twelve 

 hours will be quite sufficient ; but if very foul and 

 foetid, twice that period will be required ; and in the 

 latter case, a little wetted bran and linseed should 



